Best 7.1 Soundbar to Buy in 2024 [Budget & Surround]

Looking for the best 7.1 soundbar to upgrade your home cinema sound? Check out our expert reviews and recommendations of the top models in 2024, from budget to premium options.

Based on our tests of five different soundbars, we have come up with our top picks for the best soundbars on the market. Check out our suggestions for the Best Small Soundbar for TV, the Best Soundbar for Philips TV, and the Best Soundbar for Large Rooms, based on our experience and research.

Comparison Table of 7.1 Soundbars

Soundbar	Channels	Subwoofer	Satellites	Price	Rating
Sony HT-A7000	7.1.2	No	No	Check Price	7.3
Sony ST5000	7.1.2	Yes	No	Check Price	8.0
SAMSUNG HW-Q900A	7.1.2	Yes	No	Check Price	8.3
LG SP11RA	7.1.4	Yes	Yes	Check Price	8.4
SAMSUNG HW-Q900T	7.1.2	Yes	No	Check Price	8.1

Our Top Recommendations:

Best Editor’s Choice:  Sony HT-A7000 Soundbar

Best Overall:  LG SP11RA 7.1.4 ch Soundbar

Best Budget Pick:  Sony HT- ST5000 Soundbar

Sony HT-A7000 Soundbar

Specifications

Speaker Connectivity	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Surround Sound Channel Configuration	7.1.2
Weight	‎19.18 pounds
Warranty	One year
Dimensions	‎53.5 x 7.75 x 8.81 inches

The Sony HT-A7000 7.1.2 setup was released in 2021 as a high-end 7.1.2 setup that meets the needs of the most advanced users. It supports the S-Force Pro Front Surround and Vertical Surround Engine technologies so that you can have a more immersive listening experience. Even though it has a neutral default sound profile, it has a bit of extra bass punch that makes it suitable for most types of audio content, regardless of the content type.

The Sony HT-A7000 is an extremely wide soundbar that would not fit between the legs of a 55″ TV stand. The soundbar is indeed taller than some we have tested, but as long as it is flush with your table, it shouldn’t interfere with viewing your TV screen.

The Sony HT-A7000 is a sleek, high-end soundbar with a metal grille mainly made of high-quality plastic and an elegant design. The front grille on the Sony HT-ST5000 cannot be removed to reveal the speakers, unlike the grille on the Sony HT-ST5000. The grilles are transparent enough to reveal the speakers behind them, and the up-firing drivers are covered with fabric and topped with a glass plate, which protects them from the elements.

There are openings on the back of the soundbar where you will find the power cables and inputs. There are also holes on the underside of the soundbar, which can be used to mount the soundbar to the wall on the underside. Despite this, the brackets included seem tailored specifically for this soundbar, so the mounting method is probably proprietary to this soundbar. 

I am impressed with the build quality of the Sony HT-A7000. Most of the body is plastic, so it feels solid and durable, and the metal grille on the front helps protect the drivers inside. A glass plate on top gives it a more premium appearance. The fabric on top of the up-firing drivers appears to be a bit loose, but it is good quality. Despite its size and weight, it feels premium.

The Sony HT-A7000 has a good stereo frequency response, which is a good thing. Although it has a lot of punch in the bass range, its frequency response is neutral. The sound quality is adequate for most types of audio content, but it struggles to reproduce the deep, rumbling bass heard in bass-driven music and action-driven movies with a lot of bass.

Sony HT-A7000 has excellent stereo soundstage performance that is well above average. Thanks to its S-Front Pro Front Surround technology, which uses front-firing speakers, its soundstage is perceived as quite wide.

In terms of center channel performance, Sony’s HT-A7000 has excellent results. A discrete center channel allows for a more accurate pinpointing of voices within the sound image, providing an enhanced hearing experience. Especially in the midrange, this speaker has a neutral frequency response, which means that voices sound clear and detailed even at high volumes.

Surround performance on the Sony HT-A7000 is disappointing. Rather than discrete speakers, it uses front-firing ones in the soundbar to represent surrounding objects. For some users, its bass-heavy frequency response may be overwhelming.

There are several sound enhancement features on the Sony A7000. Several EQ presets are available to customize the sound, including ‘Standard Surround,’ ‘Music,’ ‘Cinema,’ and ‘Auto Sound.’ We recommend adjusting the preset to match your listening content based on our subjective listening tests.

The Sony A7000 soundbar supports a wide range of audio formats through ARC. Dolby Atmos and object-based formats such as Dolby Digital are supported.

All in all, for dialogue-centric content like TV shows, the Sony HT-A7000 is the best 7.1 soundbar. Discrete center channels allow for accurate localization of voices within a sound image, while its balanced frequency response produces accurate dialogue reproduction.

Is your living room small? You may check our recommendations on soundbars for smaller rooms.

My Positive Findings:

This soundbar has a well-balanced sound profile and supports various audio formats, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It also has some unique features, such as room correction and Acoustic Center Sync for users with Sony BRAVIA TVs. However, it lacks a dedicated subwoofer, which limits its low-bass performance. It also has a high price tag compared to other soundbars with similar features. You can upgrade it with a sub and satellites for better performance, but that will cost you extra.

Consider This Before Buying:

You should buy this soundbar if you want a well-balanced soundbar that works well with Sony BRAVIA TVs and supports various audio formats. You should not buy this soundbar if you want a more powerful bass or a more immersive surround sound experience, as it lacks a subwoofer and rear speakers.

Sony HT- ST5000 Soundbar

Specifications

Speaker Connectivity	Wi-Fi
Surround Sound Channel Configuration	7.1.2
Weight	51.1 pounds
Warranty	One year
Dimensions	46.9 x 13.2 x 47.2 inches

The Sony HT-ST5000 is one of the best soundbars since it has a decent 7.1.2 setup. It supports virtually all audio formats, including Dolby Atmos. In contrast to most multi-channel soundbars, the surround and Atmos channels for the soundbar can be found directly within the bar.

It has a stylish design and offers many features, making the Sony HT-ST5000 an excellent soundbar for any home. You can inspect the speakers inside the speaker by removing the large metal grill, which is made of metal. Even though the soundbar is very wide and heavy, it looks and feels like it is high quality.

The design of subwoofers is similar to that of soundbars, which are premium products. The riser gives it a unique appearance. In your home theater setup, it shouldn’t look out of place despite its wide size.

This Sony HT-ST5000 soundbar is very large. Although it is not quite as wide as the Samsung HW-Q90R, it is just as tall and even a bit deeper than the Samsung. Because it’s too big to fit between the legs of most 55-inch TVs, you’ll need to consider where to place it.

You will find the control buttons and input options for the Sony HT-ST5000 on the back of the device. A power cable is attached to the back of the soundbar. Soundbars can also be mounted on walls if you wish to do so.

I found the Sony HT-ST5000 to be an exceptionally well-built soundbar. Both plastic and metal are used in its construction, and all materials feel high-quality. The metal grill can be removed if you want to expose the speakers underneath. Similarly, the subwoofer also features a very excellent design, but the top has a tendency to collect fingerprints, and the fabric cover may be prone to tearing over time.

The Sony HT-ST5000 has an excellent overall performance in terms of stereo frequency response. As far as the bass is concerned, it’s very well-extended and does a great job of delivering the deep thump and rumble vital to a good action movie or an EDM track. It’s a fairly well-balanced range with a perfect reproduction of voices and instruments throughout the remainder.

There is a good stereo soundstage with the Sony ST5000. The soundstage is just slightly wider than the soundbar itself, which is good, and the soundbar itself is pretty wide, which is not bad.

As far as the center channel performance of the Sony ST5000 is concerned, it is excellent. It has a dedicated center speaker as a result of its 7.1.2-channel setup. Especially with surround content such as movies and video games helps dialogue and voices sound more natural.

The Sony ST5000 stands out, thanks to the up-firing speakers on the soundbar that enable it to perform passably with Atmos content. Due to the absence of surround speakers, the localization of objects is diffuse.

I believe the Sony HT-ST500 has many enhancement features worth considering. Unlike the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar, it has only a few EQ presets, and the bass/treble amounts can’t even be adjusted. It lacks room correction as well, unlike the Sony HT-A7000.

Over HDMI ARC, the Sony ST5000 can support all the standard surround formats available today. It is also capable of playing object-based surround signals over eARC and lossless formats over eARC, which is great if your TV also supports eARC.

All in all, for mixed usage, Sony’s HT-ST5000 device is a decent choice. It is okay when it comes to music, although it tends to compress and lacks some detail at higher volumes.

My Positive Findings:

This soundbar has a better sound quality than the HT-A7000, thanks to its dedicated subwoofer and larger drivers. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass and a more immersive Atmos effect. It also has a sleek design and a user-friendly remote. However, it lacks rear speakers, which affects its surround performance. It also has fewer sound customization options than the HT-A7000, such as no graphic EQ or room correction.

Consider this Before Buying:

You should buy this soundbar if you want a better sound quality than the HT-A7000 and a more immersive Atmos effect. You should not buy this soundbar if you want a true surround sound experience, as it lacks rear speakers. You should also consider the high price tag and the limited sound customization options.

SAMSUNG HW-Q900A Soundbar

Specifications

Speaker Connectivity	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Surround Sound Channel Configuration	7.1.2
Weight	37.3 pounds
Warranty	Not mentioned
Dimensions	5.4 x 48.5 x 2.7 inches

The Samsung HW-Q900A is a 7.1.2 setup released by Samsung in 2021. Samsung HW-Q900T is the upgraded version of the HW-Q900T, which has Apple AirPlay 2 and a room correction feature that can automatically correct the sound in any room based on the environment around it, unlike its predecessor.

Compared to the Samsung HW-Q950A soundbar, the Samsung HW-Q900A is a bit wider and heavier. Fabric is tightly draped across the top of the chair, mostly plastic. The sides of the soundbar are also slightly angled with vent-like openings for the side surround speakers located on the side sides of the soundbar.

It might be challenging to fit the Samsung HW-Q900A between the legs of a 55-inch TV stand because of its wide size. Whether your TV is flush with the table or not, it shouldn’t block your TV screen.

A small opening is located on the back of the soundbar for the inputs. The power cable can also be plugged in. With the included mounting kit, you can wall-mount the soundbar using the universal holes on the underside.

The Samsung HW-Q900A is a good choice regarding its build quality. Despite not having satellite speakers, it’s identical to the Samsung HW-Q950A. As for the soundbar itself is primarily made of plastic, which feels strong and durable, and the subwoofer itself is mainly made of wood. As far as the fabric covering is concerned, it appears to collect dust and get dirty very easily, which may be disappointing to some users.

As far as stereo frequency response goes with preliminary calibration on the Samsung HW-Q900A, it offers good performance. This soundbar offers a very neutral and balanced sound profile with its subwoofer level set to +3. It can reproduce the thump and punch of bass content accurately, which is suitable for listening to many different audio content types.

The stereo frequency response is excellent on the Samsung HW-Q900A. Using the Standard preset, you can listen to a wide range of audio content with a very neutral sound profile.

The stereo soundstage performance of the Samsung HW-Q900A is good. The soundstage size is perceived to be about the same as the size of the soundbar itself. In terms of stereo dynamics performance, the Samsung HW-Q900A is one of the best on the market. It is easy to crank up the volume when you want to fill up a large room or a crowded party.

The Samsung HW-Q900A has a fantastic center channel that will blow you away. With this 7.1.2 setup, dialogue can be more precisely localized to a pinpoint location in the sound image, thanks to the use of a discrete center within the sound image.

The Samsung HW-Q900A performs middlingly when it comes to Atmos sound quality. To provide you with the best sound quality, the speakers on the soundbar are up-firing and are designed to bounce off the ceiling.

There is an excellent selection of sound enhancement features on the Samsung HW-Q900A. There is a room correction feature in this soundbar, similar to most premium soundbars, which uses a microphone installed in the subwoofer to calibrate audio reproduction; however, we were unable to get this feature to work during our testing.

Samsung HW-Q900A supports ARC audio formats well. As far as surround sound formats are concerned, it supports more common surround sound formats like Dolby Digital and object-based and lossless formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

Regarding dialogue-centric content like TV shows, the Samsung HW-Q900A soundbar is really good Soundbar. With its discrete center channel, voices are pinpointed within the sound image with great accuracy.

My Positive Findings:

This soundbar is a great choice for mixed usage, as it has a versatile sound profile and a wide range of sound enhancement features. It comes with a wireless subwoofer that delivers a powerful bass, and it has side-firing speakers that create a wider soundstage. It also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and it has a good Atmos performance. However, it lacks rear speakers, which limits its surround performance. It also has some compatibility issues with some Samsung TVs, such as no eARC support or volume control.

Consider this before Buying:

You should buy this soundbar if you want a versatile soundbar that has a lot of sound enhancement features and a good Atmos performance. You should not buy this soundbar if you want a true surround sound experience, as it lacks rear speakers. You should also check the compatibility with your Samsung TV before buying it.

LG SP11RA 7.1.4 ch Soundbar

Specifications

Speaker Connectivity	HDMI
Surround Sound Channel Configuration	7.1.4
Weight	44.8 pounds
Warranty	No warranty
Dimensions	56.81 x 5.75 x 2.48 inches

The LG SP11RA is a premium 7.1.4 setup that replaces the LG SN11RG, which is very similar to the LG SP11RA. A Room Calibration feature optimizes audio reproduction automatically based on the unique acoustics of your listening space and some EQ presets to customize the sound.

The LG SP11RA has a simple and attractive design similar to the LG SN11RG. It is primarily made of plastic and has a metal grill covering the front and sides of the phone. The top of the soundbar is also covered with two round grilles designed to protect the up-firing speakers of the soundbar. Subwoofers are mostly made of plastic. Three sides are covered in fabric, which could collect dust and get dirty over time.

The LG SP11RA is quite wide, so it is unlikely to fit between the legs of a 55″ TV stand. Nevertheless, it isn’t very tall, so you shouldn’t be able to get your TV screen obstructed unless your TV is flush with the table. A subwoofer’s size of a desktop PC makes this soundbar similar to the LG SN11RG.

There are two openings on the back of the soundbar where input and power cables can be accessed. You can mount it on your wall using the included wall-mount kit since it has universal holes on the underside.

When it comes to the build quality of the LG SP11RA, it is quite impressive. As far as the soundbar and satellites are concerned, they are mainly made of plastic, which feels sturdy and durable. The metal grilles protect the drivers inside, which is a nice feature. As with the sides of the sub, the sides are also made of durable plastic, but the fabric used on the sides seems to collect dust and become dirty with age.

The stereo frequency response is excellent on the LG SP11RA. Using AI Room Calibration, the device adjusts audio reproduction automatically based on the acoustics of your room.

In terms of stereo soundstage, the LG SP11RA has a very nice one. The soundstage is about as wide as the soundbar itself, even though it does not have any tricks to help widen it any more than it is.

Stereo dynamics are excellent on the LG SP11RA. When this speaker is pushed to its maximum volume, it gets pretty loud, and when you make it to its highest volume, there isn’t much compression, so it’s a good choice for parties and large spaces.

The LG SP11RA has a decent stereo THD performance regarding stereo audio. It falls within reasonable limits when listened to at normal listening levels, resulting in a pure and clean audio reproduction.

In terms of center channel performance, the LG SP11RA performs very well. 7.1.4 setup, a discrete central channel is included, which allows dialogues to be localized to a specific point in the sound image using a more precise location in the sound image.

In terms of surround performance, the LG SP11RA performs fairly well. To enhance the clarity and realism of surround objects, discrete surround speakers can be used. Rather than just coming from the speakers in front of you, it seems the audio is coming from all around you.

The LG SP11RA supports a wide range of audio formats via ARC. In terms of surround sound formats, Dolby Digital is one of the most commonly used. Additionally, it supports lossless and object-based formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

All in all, it is great to listen to music on the LG SP11RA soundbar. The soundbar has a room correction feature that uses artificial intelligence to calibrate the room.

My Positive Findings:

This soundbar is one of the best soundbars we’ve tested, as it has a superb sound quality and a full set of features. It comes with a wireless subwoofer and two rear speakers that create a true surround sound experience. It also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and it has an excellent Atmos performance. It has a lot of sound customization options, including a graphic EQ and a room correction feature. However, it is very expensive, and it may not fit under some TVs due to its large size.

Consider this before Buying:

You should buy this soundbar if you want the best sound quality and the most features among these soundbars. You should not buy this soundbar if you have a tight budget or a small space, as it is very expensive and very large.

Samsung HW-Q900T 7.1.2ch Soundbar

Specifications

Speaker Connectivity	Bluetooth
Surround Sound Channel Configuration	7.1.2
Weight	‎50.2 pounds
Warranty	No warranty
Dimensions	‎52 x 24 x 11 inches

A Samsung HW-Q900T soundbar is an impressive 7.1.2 setup with a dedicated subwoofer designed with a premium look and feel. With a very neutral default sound profile, a wide and focused soundstage, and several options for sound customization and connectivity, it offers an enjoyable listening experience.

The Samsung HW-Q900T soundbar is a very large and wide soundbar. It won’t fit between the legs of a 55″ TV. As long as your TV doesn’t sit flush on the table, it won’t block your screen. Subwoofers are about the size of large desktop computers. They can also be used wirelessly, which is convenient.

A sleek-looking soundbar, the Samsung HW-Q900T resembles the Samsung HW-Q950T. A tightly-wrapped fabric covers the soundbar front and top, and the rest is made of plastic. Samsung’s HW-Q900T’s subwoofer is made mainly of wood, which makes it a very durable device. A fabric covering is found on the speaker’s right side, which I think could easily tear or get dirty because it looks like it could be easily ripped.

In the back of the soundbar, an opening is used to connect the inputs to the soundbar. The power cable is attached to the back of the soundbar. The underside of the soundbar has universal holes for wall mounting.

The Samsung HW-Q900T offers excellent performance in terms of stereo frequency response. The sound profile of this device is very neutral and well-balanced, which makes it a good choice for a wide range of audio content.

With the Samsung HW-Q900T, you can experience good stereo soundstages. There is an expansive soundbar and a similar width to the soundstage.

The stereo dynamics of the Samsung HW-Q900T are excellent and make this soundbar the Best 7.1 Soundbar in the market. If you are looking for a soundbar that can get loud, then this might be the one you want to use in a large room or even a crowded environment like a party.

I am impressed with the total harmonic distortion performance of this soundbar. There is little distortion at normal listening levels, which results in a pure and clean sound at any volume level.

In terms of center channel performance, the Samsung HW-Q900T delivers excellent results. Due to the dedicated center speaker in this 7.1.2 setup, it is possible to reproduce dialogue more accurately and clearly than ever before.

Samsung’s HW-Q900T soundbar offers a decent amount of sound enhancement features. For customization, you can choose four preset modes (‘Standard,’ ‘Surround,’ ‘Game Pro,’ and ‘Adaptive Sound’). The ‘Adaptive Sound’ mode enhances the clarity and crispness of dialogue.

You can view all standard surround formats using the HDMI ARC port on the Samsung HW-Q900T. In addition, it supports eARC, so it is possible to use it to create lossless surround formats.

To control the volume of the Samsung HW-Q900T soundbar, there is a small display near the controls on the top-middle of the bar. In the display, you can see the volume level, the speakers’ volume settings, and the input settings.

All in all, I think that the Samsung HW-Q900T soundbar is a perfect choice for mixed usage. In this 7.1.2 setup, there is a dedicated center channel, which makes it ideal for accurately and transparently reproducing content with a lot of dialogue, such as TV shows. In case, if you need to connect your Samsung soundbar to Wi-Fi, you may check our detailed guide on this.

My Positive Findings:

This soundbar is a good option for those who want a budget-friendly soundbar with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support. It has a decent sound quality and a wireless subwoofer that adds some punch to the bass. It also has a good Atmos performance, thanks to its up-firing speakers. However, it lacks rear speakers, which affects its surround performance. It also has fewer sound customization options than the HW-Q900A, such as no graphic EQ or dialogue enhancement.

Consider this before Buying:

You should buy this soundbar if you want a budget-friendly soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. You should not buy this soundbar if you want a better sound quality or a more immersive surround sound experience, as it lacks rear speakers and some sound customization options.

Conclusion

You now have a wide range of options to choose from based on your budget, preferences, features, appearance, size, mounting options, and power consumption of the device. So, again, it is understandable if you are confused. You don’t have to worry about anything. We can help you out. The LG SP11RA 7.1.4 ch Soundbar is a perfect 7.1 soundbar for your TV if you are looking for a high-quality 7.1 soundbar. However, it is important to understand that a higher cost is involved. The Sony HT-ST5000 Soundbar is a good option if you are looking for a soundbar on a tight budget. The Sony HT-A7000 Soundbar is our top pick for the best 7.1 Soundbar in this review.